This section has information about the English Beta and VHS releases for the Unico films. RCA/Columbia Pictures originally released both films in the 1980s with their infamous red border tape line. They were later re-released as part of RCA/Columbia Pictures’ children’s movie label Magic Window, which launched in 1985, and with white clamshell cases.
We’ve also included the dates the films aired on The Disney Channel and the cast.
Jump to:
– Beta and VHS tapes
– The Disney Channel Air Dates
– The Fantastic Adventures of Unico Cast
– Unico in the Island of Magic Cast
RCA/Columbia Pictures Beta and VHS
Title: The Fantastic Adventures of Unico
Publisher: RCA/Columbia Pictures
Release Date: May 12, 1983, 1984
Format: Beta and VHS
Sound: Stereo
Running Time: Approx. 89 minutes
Category #: VHS ?????; BETA ?????
Information: In 1983, the video company RCA/Columbian Pictures released the first Unico movie for Betamax and VHS under the title, The Fantastic Adventures of Unico.
VHS Blurb:
Life is an adventure for Unico, the magical unicorn who can make all those around him happy. Pursued by gods jealous of his gift, he is sent away to the end of the world with the compassionate West Wind. Feeling pity for Unico, the West Wind instead takes him to a faraway island that is the home of the Little Devil of Solitude, Beezel. It is from Unico that the unfriendly Beezel learns the value of friendship. When the gods send the Night Wind for Unico, the West Wind whisks him away to a secluded forest. There, Unico meets Katy, a cat whose wish to be human is granted by him. Catastrophe strikes when a handsome baron’s interest in Katy turns into the wrath of a terrible demon! Unico must save Katy and defeat the demon before the whole forest is ruined!
Title: Unico in the Island of Magic
Publisher: RCA/Columbia Pictures
Release Date: November 10, 1983, 1984
Format: Beta and VHS
Sound: Stereo
Running Time: Approx. 92 minutes
Category #: VHS 60378; BETA 20378
Information: Unico in the Island of Magic was released a few months after The Fantastic Adventures of Unico, featuring a new tale in Beta and VHS format. The artwork on the cover differs slightly from the Japanese version, as Unico is smiling, giving him a less serious expression.
VHS Blurb:
The loveable Unico, sought after by angry gods, embarks on a journey of hardship that leads him to the forest of Melvin Magnificat, a cranky feline! Unico is befriended by Cheri, a young girl who gives him food and shelter. Their happiness is darkened, however, by the appearances of the evil Lord Kuruku whose goal is to turn everyone in the entire forest into living puppets!
Even Toby, Cheri’s brother, has fallen under his spell and helps Kuruku acquire more puppets. Cheri and Unico’s efforts to stop him lead them to dangerous places such as Nightmare Island. At the end of the earth, they meet the Trojan Horse who tells them that Kuruku’s magic can only be fought with love and courage. With these virtues in hand, it is now up to Cheri and Unico to defeat this evil.
Magic Window VHS
Title: The Fantastic Adventures of Unico Vol. 1 (Clamshell Version)
Publisher: Magic Window (RCA/Columbia Pictures)
Release Date: 1985
Format: VHS
Sound: Stereo
Running Time: Approx. 89 minutes
UPC: 04339660360
Information: The film was re-released under the Magic Window label (RCA/Columbian Pictures children’s movie company) and repackaged in a white clamshell case.
VHS Blurb:
The Fantastic Adventures of Unico
A Feature-Length Fable of FriendshipUnico, the Magical Unicorn, is born with incredible powers that make people happy. But that angers some very jealous gods. They order the West Wind to cast the tiny Unicorn into exile — and thus begins Unico’s amazing adventures.
He’s whisked away to the Land of Mist on the Edge of the Earth where he teaches the meaning of friendship to Beezil, the pesky little Devil of Solitude. But Unico cannot stay.
He journeys on to meet Katy, a sad little kitty, who dreams of becoming a witch. When Unico’s magic transforms her into a beautiful girl, she falls under the spell of a wicked count and a raging demon. Evil and hatred challenge Unico’s power of love.
Entertainment for the entire family, rich in lessons of love and kindness, beautifully told in high-quality animation. Original score.
Title: Unico in the Island of Magic Vol. 2 (Clamshell Version)
Publisher: Magic Window (RCA/Columbia Pictures)
Release Date: 1985
Format: VHS
Sound: Stereo
Running Time: Approx. 92 minutes
UPC: 04339660378
Information: The film was re-released under the Magic Window label (RCA/Columbian Pictures children’s movie company) and repackaged in a white clamshell case.
VHS Blurb:
Unico in the Island of Magic
A Feature-length Tale of EnchantmentUnico’s adventure continues. He’s bullied by Melvin Magnificat, a very pompous pussycat! But who’s the handsome young knight on the tree-trunk skycycle? It’s Toby — servant of Lord Kuruku, a wicked wizard — and he’s changing everyone in the world into living puppets!
That’s when Unico and Toby’s sister, Cheri, set out to free Toby from Kuruku’s spell and change the puppets back into people.
Their quest takes them to Nightmare Island and the Valley of Demons. At the End of the Earth, they learn that Kuruku’s evil can be fought only with love and courage. Armed with these virtues, Unico and Cheri return to confront the wizard.
Heart-warming adventure for the entire family, filled with lessons of love and caring. Extraordinary, high-quality animation. Original score.
Graphic Video Beta and VHS (UK Edition)
Title: Unico
Publisher: Mountain Video/Graphic Video
Release Date: 80s
Format: VHS and Beta
Sound: Unknown
Information: After its release in the West, UK company Mountain Video picked up the first movie and sold it under the Graphic Video label. The movie was first previewed on Flash! promo tape, and according to Anime Bargain Bin Review, the Mountain Video company disappeared after a year and only a few tapes made it to shelves, making it quite hard to find.
VHS Blurb:
A marvellous magical Unicorn with the gift of bringing happiness wherever he goes. This sumptuous cartoon conceived by Osamu Tezuka will take you to a world of enchantment and wonder. A lovingly created masterpiece of childrens [sic] entertainment that can be compared favourably with the best of its genre. Comedy, adventure and fantasy combine to make this film a truly enjoyable film experience.
Sources:
– Anime Bargain Bin Reviews – Unico aka Fantastic Adventures of Unico (Wayback Machine)
– Anime Bargain Bin Reviews- Flash! No.1 (Wayback Machine)
The Disney Channel Air Dates:
| The Fantastic Adventures of Unico | 1986 — July 8, 13, 18, 23, 26, and 31. 1987 — July 7, 18, 27, and August 2. 1988 — March 29; April 2, 11, 28; November 21, 26; December 2, 11, 20, and 26. 1989 — October 16, 20, 28; November 1, 7, and 13 1990 — March 14, 20; April 9, 14, and 25. (Information found from Disney Channel Magazines and The Fantastic Adventures of Unico | Disney Channel Broadcast Archives Wiki.) |
| Unico in the Island of Magic | 1987 — January 19, 24, 28; February 3, and 9. 1988 — January 20, 24, 29; February 15. 1989 — January 4, 8, 12, 16, 21, 27; February 1, and 8. 1990 — January 2, 7, 17, 22; February 1, 10, and 22. (Information found from Disney Channel Magazines and Unico in the Island of Magic | Disney Channel Broadcast Archives Wiki.) |
The Fantastic Adventures of Unico Cast:
| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Narrator | Joan Carol O’Connell, also known as J.C. Henning (uncredited) |
| Unico | Barbara Goodson (uncredited) |
| Beezil/Beezle | Cheryl Chase (uncredited) |
| Caty/Katy | Robin Levenson (uncredited) |
| West Wind | Diane Lander (uncredited) |
| Baron de Ghost | Dave Mallow (uncredited) |
| Devil of Solitude | Ardwight Chamberlain (uncredited) |
| ??? | Louise Chamis (uncredited) |
| Gods | Ardwight Chamberlain, Jan Rabson, Michael Sorich (all uncredited) |
* This cast list used The Fantastic Adventures of Unico IMBd website. They did not credit the cast in the original release, so there may be errors as to who actually played who.
| English Staff | |
|---|---|
| English Language Version | Sync. LTD. |
| Producer | Bran and Karen D. Arandjelovich |
| Director | Ardwight Chamberlain |
| Production Coordinators | Sachiko Louie and Mark Headley |
Unico in the Island of Magic Cast
| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Unico | Barbara Goodson (uncredited) |
| Cheri | Anick Feris (uncredited) |
| Toby | Max Christian (uncredited) |
| Kuruku / Melvin’s Lackey 1 | Jan Rabson (uncredited) |
| Melvin Magnificat | Michael Sorich (uncredited) |
| West Wind | Janet Waldo (uncredited) |
| Sphinx | Lara Cody (uncredited) |
| Roller Dragon / Melvin’s Lackey 2 | Ardwight Chamberlain (uncredited) |
| Cheri’s Father / Trojan Horse | Ron Gans (uncredited) |
* This cast list used Unico in the Island of Magic IMBd website. They did not credit the cast in the original release, so there may be errors as to who actually played whom.